In a historic verdict, a court in Bogotá has found former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe guilty of bribery and witness tampering, marking the first time a former head of state in Colombia has been convicted on such charges.
Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia announced the decision, ruling that Uribe had unlawfully influenced incarcerated paramilitary members to withdraw statements made to Senator Iván Cepeda, who had accused the former president of ties to right-wing militias during the 1990s.
The case began in 2012 when Uribe filed a defamation suit against Cepeda. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the claim in 2018 and instead opened a criminal investigation into Uribe himself. Prosecutors alleged that he manipulated witnesses to fabricate favorable testimony as part of his defense strategy.
Judge Heredia concluded that Uribe committed abuse of process and bribery in criminal proceedings, charges that carry a potential prison sentence of six to twelve years. However, due to his advanced age, Uribe is likely to serve house arrest instead of jail time. A date for sentencing has not yet been announced, and Uribe’s legal team has already signaled their intent to appeal the ruling.
The landmark judgment has ignited mixed reactions throughout Colombia and the international community. While advocates for judicial integrity hail the ruling as a victory for the rule of law, Uribe’s supporters argue the case is politically motivated and unjust.
